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We've assumed all along that Falk will be the heir to record-setting QB Connor Halliday, but Peyton Bender played well enough in the spring that Leach decided to keep the competition open until it sorted itself out in fall camp. Falk completed 156-of-243 throws for 1,859 yards (64.2 completion percentage and 140.4 QB rating) and a 13/7 TD/INT rate last year after Halliday's ugly leg injury. "We know Leach can play fast and loose with his quarterbacks," Gammell wrote. "Still, Falk has enough on film to indicate he can drive this quarterback-driven offense -- should he get the call."

Washington State senior T Joe Dahl "should be one of the best tackles in the Pac-12 this season" but may not stay at that position in the pros, believes NFL Media.

The former Montana player transferred to Wazzu and sat out the 2012 season. He began his tenure as a guard before moving to left tackle last season. "Guard would seem to be his best position at the next level," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin. "Washington State has had just four offensive linemen drafted since the beginning of the 1990s." Dahl figures to change that.

Washington State will likely turn to redshirt freshman Keith Harrington, a former slot WR, as their starter at RB.

Harrington redshirted his first year with the Cougars and impressed as a running back in scout team duties. "At the rate he’s going, he might be (our) first option," head coach Mike Leach said. "He’s real explosive, comes out his cuts real fast." Harrington has added 10 pounds since joining the team and now stands at 185 lbs.

Washington State senior WR Dom Williams "turned heads this spring" and "looks like a lock to be among the Pac-12’s statistical leaders," writes ESPN's David Lombardi.

With Vince Mayle in the NFL, Williams is now the go-to receiver in Mike Leach's offense, making the prediction less brave than it may sound on the surface. Williams has contributed in a big way to the offense in each of his three years on campus. Last season was his best, and he posted 43 catches for 653 yards and nine scores. Expect those numbers to spike in 2015.

Halliday has decided not to attend rookie minicamp. The expectation is that he will retire from the sport, because, as a source told ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim, Halliday "had lost his love for football." While he posted video game stats at Washington State, Mike Leach's staff never seemed completely warm to him. An anonymous NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last month that "nobody" at Washington State "was sorry to see" Halliday leave.

"I think in particular, just leadership, taking command of the team and being the guy that kind of leads the offseason," Leach said. Falk started the final three games of the 2014 season for an injured Connor Halliday. In six games he threw for 1,859 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Halliday (6'3/196) made 28 starts at Wazzu, completing 62.0 percent of his career throws with a 90:50 TD-to-INT ratio. He finished his four-year career as the school's all-time leader in passing yards (11,304) and touchdown passes. Although Halliday was an accurate college passer, he is undersized by NFL standards with small hands (8 3/8") and sub-par arm strength. Playing almost strictly in the shotgun at Washington State, Halliday did not appear comfortable making throws when pressured. He isn't more than a practice squad candidate in Washington behind Robert Griffin, Kirk Cousins, and Colt McCoy.

Mayle (6'2/224) played hoops in community college from 2009-2010 before transferring to Washington State for his junior and senior years. In just two seasons, Mayle piled up 148 catches for 2,022 yards (13.7 YPR) and 16 TDs. Mayle isn't a particularly good athlete despite his basketball background, running 4.67 at the Combine with a 35 1/2-inch vertical and 9-foot-9 broad jump. He did most of his college receiving damage on bubble screens and dropped a whopping 13 passes as a senior. Mayle is a tight end/H-back/slot receiver hybrid.

Cooper (6'3/293) made 34 starts for Washington State, amassing 31.5 TFLs, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He displayed plus athleticism for his size in Indianapolis, running 4.86 with a 9-foot-2 broad jump and 7.23 three-cone time. Cooper has short arms (31 1/2") and isn't much of a run defender, but he is a quick-footed inside rusher with aggressive hand use. Cooper projects as a three-technique penetrator and should push for snaps right away on passing downs.

An anonymous NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that "nobody" at Washington State "was sorry to see" QB Connor Halliday leave and he "can't find anybody there that liked this guy."

Tell us how they really feel. If the Wazzu coaching staff is indeed trashing Halliday out the door (which wouldn't be terribly surprising, as they did so rather publicly with DT Xavier Cooper), it could hurt the signal-caller's tenuous draft stock. Since we can't confirm or deny this report, lets stick to his on-field evaluation. "He finds the open guy well at times but then he throws into coverage too often," the scout said. Another concluded: "He's got a talented arm. Plays in a wide-open system. He's smart enough (Wonderlic of 22). He'll need a little bit of work on his footwork, but he's got enough to take a shot on." The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Halliday threw for 11,308 yards and 90 touchdowns in college.

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline reports that the Lions will target Washington State DT Xavier Cooper if they take a DT in Round 2.

The Lions feel Cooper "is a perfect fit for their system," reports Pauline. At the combine, the 6-foot-4, 303-pound Cooper ran a 4.86 forty, best amongst DTs. He played both inside and outside at Washington State, but slots better inside at the next level. That said, he does provide versatility.

Halliday broke his tibia and fibula when Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams fell on his leg in November. "He was on pace to smash records before breaking his leg and impressed at his pro day," La Canfora wrote. "I would not be surprised at all if he is one of the first four or five quarterbacks taken (Miami, Pittsburgh, Washington and San Diego are among those looking at him)." The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Halliday threw for 11,308 yards and 90 touchdowns during his career in Mike Leach's offense at Washington State.

"Mayle lacks home-run speed," Rang said. "I see a combination of size, balance, strength and toughness, however." Mayle ran forties between 4.56 and the mid 4.6s at his personal pro day. "Need an example of Mayle's toughness? He didn't drop a ball during his combine pass-catching drill (or Senior Bowl, for that matter) despite competing with a broken right thumb," Rang wrote. We agree on the evaluation. Mayle was always going to be knocked for his lack of speed, but he has traits which can't be taught. The 6-foot-2, 224-pound former basketball player hauled in 106 passes for 1,483 yards and nine touchdowns across 12 games last year.

Washington State QB Connor Halliday "was efficient and did a terrific job commanding the passing offense at Washington State but lacks the physical skills to be anything other than a third quarterback at the next level," according to TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.

"Patient, intelligent quarterback with marginal physical skills for the next level," reads his scouting report. "Buys time for receivers, remains poised under the rush and displays a great sense of knowing where receivers. Effectively sets up screen passes and throws the ball with great timing. Very accurate in the short and intermediate field, placing passes where only his target can make receptions." Sounds like the perfect Mike Leach quarterback, right? The weaknesses will sounds familiar to NFL types who have tried without success to develop Leach's QBs in the pros. "Does not possess a big arm," Pauline wrote. "Cannot zip the passes through tight spots and deep throws hang in the air. Puts the ball up for grabs at times or tosses passes into covered targets. Not a nimble quarterback who can escape the rush or pick up yardage with his legs."

Washington State QB Connor Halliday will visit the Washington Redskins this week.

Halliday will visit the Washington Redskins this week. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Halliday threw for 11,308 yards and 90 touchdowns during his pass-happy career in Mike Leach's offense at Washington State. That career ended a little early when Halliday broke his fibula and tibia against USC last season. He's a Day 3 developmental possibility.